Grand Central Shopping Centre staff will be outfitted with stab-proof vests

Multiple guards came forward with claims of bullying and neglect at the hands of the centre security contactor, saying more than a dozen staff had quit or were fired in the past two months. It is hoped this key change will make their jobs safer.

Security guards at Grand Central Shopping will soon be outfitted with stab-proof tactical vests after their employer conceded to demands for more protection in the face of persistent youth violence.

The centre’s owner, the Queensland Investment Corporation, has also stated that it would amend its ‘hands-off’ policy to allow guards to physically restrain violent patrons.

While whistleblowers within QIC and Springmount Services have welcomed the stab-proof vests they say Springmount Services have been silent on their calls for extra staff.

The changes come after multiple current and former security guards spoke with the Chronicle about what they alleged was a culture of bullying and an unsafe workplace overseen by Springmount Services, the company contracted by QIC to run security and cleaning services at the centre.

The whistleblower guards reported almost daily occurrences of violence, including people coming to the centre armed with knives.

One guard, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear they would lose their job for speaking out, said their colleagues have welcomed the concessions.

“We are very relieved,” they said.

“By getting rid of the ‘hands-off’ policy it makes our job so much easier.

“We can remove threats before a situation escalates.”

Prior to the concessions, security guards were ordered to stand by and observe when fights and robberies broke out in the shopping centre.

A memo cited by the Chronicle and sent to Grand Central staff about six months ago re-enforced the ‘hands-off’ policy.

It stated that there had been clusters of incidents where violent patrons had been forcibly escorted from the centre.

“It is imperative that our security team understands that we are not police and have no powers of arrest and our responsibility is to the centre asset and the safety of customers within it as our primary responsibility, not to catch the criminal,” the memo stated.

It went on to say guards could only engage in a ‘hands-on’ response when there is an imminent threat or assault directed at staff or another patron, under the direction of a police officer or in self-defence.

QIC did not respond to specific questions about changes to the ‘hands-off’ policy but did confirm that senior staff had met with Springmount Services management on Tuesday to discuss problems at Grand Central Shopping Centre.

A QIC spokeswoman said the safety of staff and shoppers at the centre was a priority.

“We are working closely with (Springmount Services) to bolster the protection measures in place for our security team and can confirm that the team will soon be fitted with protective vests, which will appropriately house the existing body-worn cameras,” she said.

“Our security team also continues to conduct themselves in accordance with existing legal and licensing requirements.

“We remain in close contact with local police and our contractor and will continue to work with them as a matter of priority.”

A United Workers Union spokesman welcomed the news that QIC and Springmount Services would provide staff with stab-proof vests but said more concessions are needed.

“That sort of personal protective equipment should be available to all guards if they feel they need and the employer should be able to provide it,” he said.

The Chronicle understands staff numbers were cut about 12 months ago, down from five guards on shift to just two with an extra guard deployed during Thursday night shopping hours.

Springmount Services has not responded to the Chronicle’s inquiries.

Originally published as Grand Central Shopping Centre staff will be outfitted with stab-proof vests